Several adverbs which in modern English would end in -ly appear without the suffix in Shakespearean English. In most cases, adverb forms with the -ly are also found at that time - nobly, for example, in RJ III.v.181, damnably in 1H4 IV.ii.12; but audible (see below) is a case where the -ly form seems not to have entered English until later (earliest Oxford English Dictionary citation, 1635).
| Item |
Location |
Example |
| according |
MM V.i.479 |
thou art said to have a stubborn soul ... / And squar'st thy life according |
| audible |
MM V.i.405 |
The very mercy of the law cries out / Most audible |
| bountiful |
Cor II.iii.101 |
I will ... give it bountiful |
| damnable |
WT III.ii.185 |
That did but show thee ... damnable ingrateful |
| dear |
MND III.ii.175 |
Lest to thy peril thou aby it dear |
| dishonourable |
1H4 IV.ii.30 |
ten times more dishonourable-ragged than an old fazed ancient |
| easy |
Sonn 109.3 |
As easy might I from myself depart |
| equal |
H8 I.i.159 |
he is equal ravenous / As he is subtle |
| exceeding |
CE I.i.57 |
their parents were exceeding poor |
| frantic |
Sonn 147.10 |
I am ... frantic mad with evermore unrest |
| grievous |
1H4 IV.i.16 |
he is grievous sick |
| loose |
MW IV.vi.41 |
she shall be loose enrobed |
| marvellous |
MA IV.ii.25 |
A marvellous witty fellow |
| noble |
AC II.ii.102 |
’Tis noble spoken |
| singular |
2H4 III.ii.108 |
Very singular good, in faith |
| treacherous |
1H6 I.v.30 |
Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf |
| unfortunate |
1H6 I.iv.4 |
Howe’er unfortunate I missed my aim |
| willing |
H8 IV.ii.130 |
most willing, madam |
The opposite effect can also be seen: some adverbs were formed from nouns with the -ly suffix, such as angerly (KJ IV.i.81) and hungerly (Oth III.iv.101), which today have developed alternative forms (angrily, hungrily).